Country Living UK

Whether you live in the town or countryside, in Country Living you’ll find a wealth of ideas for your home and garden, learn about traditional crafts, keep informed of rural issues, enjoy irresistible dishes using seasonal produce and, above all, escape the stress and strain of modern-day life.

Country Living UK

A note from the editor

December

Christmas GIFT GUIDE • Our hand-picked selection of presents from some of our favourite artisans

The new GOOD LIFE • There’s never been a better time to go self-sufficient. In our ongoing series, Sally Coulthard shares tried-and-tested tips from her Yorkshire smallholding

DANCING to his own BEAT • Last Christmas, Hamza Yassin cha-cha-cha’d to stardom when he lifted the Strictly glitterball. Back home in the Highlands, the wildlife presenter talks about befriending eagles, hosting Hogmanay – and why London was the loneliest place he’d ever been

SEVEN STEPS TO A MODERN COUNTRY Christmas

10 QUESTIONS WITH BEN MILLER • The comedian and actor on celebrating Christmas in the Cotswolds and channelling his inner elf

THE GREATEST LIGHT SHOW ON EARTH • Each year, the fishing harbour of Mousehole gears up for a Cornish community Christmas. Now in its 60th year, Mousehole Harbour Lights began with a single string of coloured bulbs along the quayside. Today, an estimated 30,000 people visit during December and January to marvel at 60 incredible illuminations, including an electric green sea serpent emerging from the depths. And if that wasn’t enough festivities, on 23 December, locals celebrate Tom Bawcock’s Eve. This annual festival honours a legendary fisherman who braved stormy seas to save villagers from starvation. During the day, there’s a lantern procession, then, after dark, The Ship Inn serves stargazey pie – a local delicacy made with seven sorts of fish – to an accompanying sea shanty soundtrack. Donations go to RNLI Penlee Lifeboat Station.

MY IMPERFECT CHRISTMAS • From the Aga that served up dinner at dawn to the Christmas tree that took a tumble… the Country Living team recollect their most memorable festive fails

’TIS THE SEASON TO UPCYCLE • Gather up scrap paper, ribbons, fabric offcuts and old jam jars to create bespoke decorations that won’t bust your budget

COUNTRY LIVING CHRISTMAS FAIR

Time to UP OUR GAME • Once found all over Britain – though rarely in a pear tree – grey partridges have been in decline since the Sixties. Here’s how you can help this festive game bird to rise again

RAISING THE CUP OF CHEER • After the pandemic forced Rebecca Rogers and Richard Buckley to shut their restaurant in Bath, they turned to handmade hot chocolate. Three years on, life is sweet…

THE BEST OF BRITISH DESIGN COUNTRY LIVING AT HOMEBASE

NEW YEAR AT Broadspear • In our ongoing series from her cottage garden in Hampshire, TV chef Clodagh McKenna lays on a festive feast for friends and family

IN A lowly CATTLE SHED • At Darts Farm in Devon, three brothers have turned two cattle sheds and a slurry pit into a thriving shopping village where the farm shop is the flagship store. We join them as they get ready for Christmas

THE CL CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

ASK AN ECO ENTHUSIAST • Geri Halliwell-Horner on saving endangered species and giving eccentric Christmas presents

GERI’S TOP 5 AT-RISK ANIMALS • Meet some curious creatures from Geri’s new book

SEIZING THE CLAY • Louise Blamire forages wild clay near her studio in East Lothian and uses it to make ceramics inspired by Scottish landscapes

SLEEP IN LUXURY WITH COUNTRY LIVING AT DREAMS

the RUFF GUIDE TO… assistance dogs • In our ongoing campaign to support greater assistance dogs access to the countryside for...